By Sofia Nasir
SHAH ALAM, March 16 — Selangor is looking at signing the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672), as a long-term solution to the problem of illegal waste.
State executive councillor for local government Ng Sze Han said doing so will lead to the implementation of enforcement and waste monitoring by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleaning Corporation (SWCorp).
“SWCorp will become the sole authority responsible for waste management. At present, each local authority is responsible for its respective areas, with a limited number of enforcement officers who must also carry out other tasks,” he said.
Ng was speaking during the winding-up session of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj’s royal address at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, earlier today.
He said Act 672 provides for a fine of up to RM100,000, a maximum imprisonment period of five years, or both, for the offence of illegal dumping.
The penalty differs from the existing law enforcement, wherein only a fine of around RM1,000 is imposed, which is insufficient to deter offenders.
“The state government is guaranteeing that it will pay serious attention to the illegal waste issue, and will immediately find a complete solution so that Selangor remains pristine and harmonious,” Ng said.
Currently, only seven states have enforced Act 672, including Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, and the Putrajaya Federal Territory.
